§ 64. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that ex-service men are being discharged from their positions on pensions tribunals while non-ex-service men are being retained; and will he take steps to remedy this and to ensure that the services of ex-service men are the last to be dispensed with?
§ Mr. PARKINSONI have been asked to reply. The Lord Chancellor, with whom rests the responsibility for these appointments, informs me that 132 out of the 139 male staff of the pension appeal tribunals are ex-service men, and that every endeavour is made to retain the services 36 of ex-service men when reductions to staff become necessary. I understand that the seven men who have not seen military service are employed upon duties which they are specially qualified to discharge, having regard either to their professional qualifications or to their experience of the work.